There are a number of gifts for the car enthusiast that are too neat to not consider. The following are personal favorites, or just too cool of an idea not to include!

1. Oil changer pump
   These little pumps will pump out the engine oil so you do not have to crawl under the car to pull the drain plug. Since many newer cars have the oil filter near the top of the engine, oil changes become easy. Just in case you are thinking that not all oil will be removed, you are correct. But the amount left is very small and if Mercedes dealers use these pumps, they are good enough for me. A couple of names are: Mityvac and Motive Power Exractors. These are not expensive. Most are in the 50 to 120 dollar range. Think of the savings on laundry alone!
2. Gloves
   Good automotive mechanic’s gloves are a great gift. They not only keep hands clean but also save knuckles from bruising and blood on the tools. Mechanix makes nice ones These run around 15 to 30 dollars.
3. Hoists
   If your budget is higher a car hoist may be an idea. These have become more reasonable and are available for $2000 and up. If you are still reading then you must be in love. Torin, Extreme Equipment and BendPak are selling them, among others.
4. Magazines
   Subscriptions to magazines like Hemmings, Road&Track, Car and Driver, Motor Trend and numerous others make great gifts. Prices vary but, $20 to $35 should buy a year’s subscription.
5. Car polishes and cleaners
   The list here is endless. Care for the interior and exterior is almost always needed. Many manufacturers will package Christmas bundles of products at reduced prices. A good idea to buy and put away for later gifting! Prices:$5 to $50.
6. Garage organizers
   These can take the form of tool boxes, wall units, pegboard, shelves or racks. There are some very neat products out there and many come on sale. As an example clear plastic shoe boxes came up at a local store for a buck a piece. These are GREAT for storing nuts and bolts as well as small tools. They came with lids and so keep rust at bay in my garage.
7. Models
   Many car nuts would like to a model of the car they drive or the one they would love to drive. Check hobby stores and online. They run from $10 to hundreds of dollars.
8. Fantasy drives
   There are a number of offerings that allow a driver to sample driving dream cars. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Corvette, Mercedes, Porsche, Viper and so on. Check a current copy of one of the car magazines for available offers. Prices vary vastly. Figure $500 and up.
9. Racing schools
   There are a number of racing schools that offer courses ranging form half day to week(s) in duration. Again prices vary vastly. Check online for a school close to you.
10. GPS
    For those who get lost and will not ask directions this is a great gift. Nice ones from Garmin that talk to you are now down as low as $150.
11. G Meters
    These little devices measure car performance. Acceleration, cornering and braking are given on the digital readout. These can be found online and at auto parts stores. A neat one is an application that you can download for your iPod or iPhone for about $15 instead of buying a stand alone unit for about a hundred or more.
12. Books, Posters and Videos
    Always a safe bet for car people. So many places to find these that no further explanation is needed.
13. Radar/Laser Detectors and Jammers
    If a lead foot and tickets are a problem then these will be on a wish list.  Beltronics and Escort are arguably the top two brands.

Happy shopping! (more…)

Your camper, trailer and motorhome need some proactive care to survive the winter.

The first set of measures is common to all three. That is the prevention or reduction of damage that a season (or two) of non-use will cause. This includes damage caused by freezing temperatures, moisture, rodents and other vermin.

Your summer cottage on wheels will likely have some way of holding both fresh drinking water and perhaps some way of holding grey (washing/shower) and black (sewer) water.

Starting with the fresh water, the first thing to ensure is that all the water is drained from the system. That includes all sinks, as well as the showers inside and outside (if applicable), hot water tank ( an easy one to forget) and the outside drain. Next get fresh water anti-freeze from a store that sells it for this purpose. Do not use car radiator anti-freeze, as that is deadly!  You do not want to have even the smallest amount of poisonous material left in the system when you refill it with fresh water the next time you use your RV. Follow the directions in your owner’s manual and ensure that all parts of your fresh water system get protection from freezing. Usually that means having the safe anti-freeze get pumped into all the taps, pumps, lines and fixtures.

Next, take care of the grey and black water holding systems. Here again, purchase the proper RV anti-freeze and ensure that it gets to all parts of the system.

If you have a battery, it will need care over the winter. One method is to hook up a maintenance charger to keep the battery fully charged. These are inexpensive and designed for this task (available at any auto parts outlet). If you use a regular charger you may overcharge the battery, resulting in the boiling off of battery acid and a resultant fire. Make sure the charger can NOT overcharge and is made to do this task. You could also take out the battery and store it in your heated garage. Again, it should be charged periodically or connected to a maintenance charger over the winter. Remember, a discharged battery can freeze and split the case, spilling its acid. Each battery in your RV will need protection. This is also a good time to check and clean all the electrical connections.

Shut off the propane at the tank or tanks. Most appliances leak a very small amount and there is no need to waste propane or create a potential fire hazard.

Leave the fridge and freezer doors open. You will be greeted with a great biological experiment in the spring if you do not! You may need to prop them open.

Taking all linens, towels and cushions into your house is a good idea. This applies even when your RV is stored under cover. In the northwest, the humidity is such that mold and mildew will take hold easily in the uncirculated air inside. I use a heater with a fan set on low to circulate and warm the air.

Now is the time to check the roof for potential leaks. Likely sources are seams and places where dissimilar materials meet. Inspect these seams very closely. Anywhere there are screws or vents are places where water can cause problems. Remember, even tiny leaks can cause dry rot. Roof caps (where the roof meets the sides and windows), windshield and awning need careful inspection. A good cleaning of the roof using only the proper cleaner is a good idea. An RV specialist should be able to supply you with the cleaners and sealers.

If you do not have access to a roofed storage area, a storage cover or tarp will provide additional protection against the elements. I would caution you to ensure that there is space between the tarp and the roof for air circulation to prevent damage to the roof. Be careful to not damage your roof with sharp objects. This applies especially to rubber roofs. I have successfully used soft Rubbermaid tubs with a ladder on them to keep the tarp clear of the roof. Even then, I use a  fan heater inside, being very careful to keep it away from combustible materials.

Foodstuffs need to be cleaned out. Use common sense. Paper boxes are easy for rodents and bugs to get into! Storage in plastic containers is preferable. You do not want to start a vacation having to clean and then disinfect the RV before you even start your holiday. There are many traps available for rodents and sprays to kill bugs, but if your RV is cleaned of food items the chances of a problem are significantly reduced. If you live in an area prone to rodents, there are numerous sound repellers and repellants available. Check with local RV dealers and online. University web sites seem to have good information consistently.

Leave all cupboards and doors open. This discourages rodents and makes it easier to allow airflow into all areas to prevent mildew.

Motorhomes and trailers need to have tires examined and corrected for tire pressures and damages. Inspect especially the tire sidewalls, as that is where there is often damage from rocks and other hazards. Check for broken springs, worn shocks, as well as any lights that are out. Trailers should have the hitches and wiring harnesses checked.

For winterizing motorhomes there are numerous more helpful tips in my article titled Winter car storage checklist. The same running gear advice for cars applies to motorized RV’s, campers and trailers.

Happy RVing next season! (more…)